He had to get away from it all. Despite the endless films and paintings depicting Jesus as welcoming throngs and hordes with open arms, there were many times when Jesus pulled back (Mark 3:9; 7:24; Luke 5:15-16; John 6:15). However, such retreating certainly appears to be counterproductive to the development of an earthly ministry, don’t you think? After all, if you want to build a support base, wouldn’t you want to gain a larger following and increase the size and scope of your ministry?

Needless to say, establishing a large following and building a big ministry is not why Jesus came into the world—He came for needy sinners. And His continual withdrawal from the crowds doesn’t mean He outright despised them—rather, it demonstrates His preference to minister to people one-on-one. Jesus sought to know people on a name-and-need basis—He didn’t care about filling stadiums or boasting of great numbers. Jesus always prioritized intimate interactions over large-scale miracles, superficial popularity, or mass appeal. His mission was to seek and save the lost through personal encounters.

Jesus deliberately traveled through Samaria in order to minister to the Samaritan Woman and bring her the good news of salvation (John 4:1-26). Rather than making him a spectacle, Christ took the deaf man by the hand and led him away from the crowds—and He restored his speech and hearing in private (Mark 7:31-37). Jesus healed the blind man from Bethsaida away from prying eyes by leading him outside of the town (Mark 8:22-26). Amidst a multitude of invalids at Bethesda’s pool, Christ set His sights on only one man who had been crippled for thirty-eight years, and He healed him (John 5:1-15). And Jesus singled out little Zaccheus, who climbed a sycamore tree to view Him because of the crowd size—and Jesus focused on him instead of the masses (Luke 19:1-10).

Any of the individuals whom Christ healed and ministered to would tell you that you are more than just a name and face to Jesus. He loves you and cares about you as an individual. If He didn’t, He wouldn’t be keeping up with the number of hairs on your head (Matt. 10:30). Moreover, if God keeps track of the death of sparrows, then He certainly keeps track of the needs of His saints (Luke 12:6-7). The Lord even cares for you as though you were His only child: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me” (Isaiah 49:15-16).

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The devotional column above is from my newest book, 40 Days with Jesus, which is a forty-day daily devotional focusing on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus. This book is available in hardcover on Amazon: